Unleaded Fuel Debate Heats Up in Oshkosh

Tensions flare during a forum discussion on an unleaded replacement for avgas at EAA AirVenture.

Russ Niles

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 03:52 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Many off-airport landings are the result of fuel mismanagement. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Tensions arose at an EAA AirVenture forum over the readiness of GAMI's G100UL unleaded avgas, with GAMI asserting its fuel is ready for distribution via Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) while the EAGLE initiative insists on a broader, peer-reviewed ASTM standard.
GAMI's G100UL has 1.3 million gallons ready for sale, with supporters like Vitol Aviation and AOPA vouching for its readiness and performance, even considering it "as good or better" than 100LL.
The core disagreement centers on the approval process: GAMI and its partners believe an STC is sufficient for retail, whereas EAGLE and critics demand a consensus standard like ASTM for full transparency and to address concerns such as materials compatibility.

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OSHKOSH, Wisconsin—Tensions flared briefly at a forum on progress toward an unleaded replacement for avgas Monday at EAA AirVenture.

During the public comment period after formal presentations, Tim Roehl, president of General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI), challenged a couple of points made during the presentations of members and support staff from the End Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions. He told the crowd—smaller than in previous years—that contrary to assertions made during the formal part of the forum, GAMI’s G100UL is indeed ready for distribution and sale.